The 2009 Joven has a ripe, very expressive nose with luscious wild strawberry and raspberry with the oak (five months in used French wood) deftly integrated. With continued aeration, touches of leather begin to emerge. The palate is well-balanced with a juicy entry, delivering succulent red currant and cranberry fruit married with a graphite seam toward the structured finish. Drink now-2016.
In many ways, the portfolio of wines from Pago de los Capellanes epitomize many producers, whereby the most pleasure is found in the mid-range Crianza and Reserva level wines instead of the more expensive single parcel wines, which are prone to excessive oak to allow the terroir to speak and assert their individuality from Ribera del Duero’s other single parcel bottlings that form a chorus line of wines announcing their uniqueness.
Importer: Antalva Imports, Los Angeles, CA; tel. (310) 695-6260; www.antalva@earthlink.net and from www.bbr.com in the UK.